NM Rancher Jonas Moya Launches Campaign for Position of State Land Commissioner
Ready to Meet the Candidates for New Mexico Land Commissioner in 2026?
The political landscape of New Mexico is heating up as we approach the 2026 elections, and one hotly contested race is for the Land Commissioner position. Jonas Moya, a cattle rancher from Tucumcari, has announced his bid for the Democratic nomination, and he's not alone. Valencia County native Juan Sanchez, a former state Democratic Party official, jumped into the race back in April. But, unlike the Farm Service Agency that Moya once helmed, no Republican candidates have publicly declared their intentions yet.
Stepping down from his role at the USDA's Farm Service Agency earlier this year, Moya is gearing up for a statewide run, with a mission to enhance the State Land Office's customer service while safeguarding the land for New Mexicans. He's got a firm belief that the office can maximize its earnings while being a responsible steward of the land. Moya's ascertained that he may not have delved as deep into the energy sector as some, but his diverse backstory demonstrates his readiness to confront fresh challenges.
The timing for Moya's campaign seems impeccable, considering the current Land Commissioner, Stephanie Garcia Richard, cannot run for a third term. Garcia Richard, who previously announced her intention to run for lieutenant governor, oversaw more than 9 million acres of state trust land and saw the annual earnings skyrocket from $1.1 billion during the 2019 budget year to a staggering $2.6 billion in the 2024 fiscal year, with the vast majority coming from oil and natural gas royalties[1].
As the U.S. Congress ponders the idea of selling some public lands, Moya acknowledges the race for Land Commissioner is more critical than ever. This week, large protests against any such move took place in Santa Fe during a meeting of the Western Governors' Association[3].
The primary election in New Mexico is set for June 2, 2026, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Stay tuned for further updates on the candidates, their platforms, and the race as the election draws closer. Don't forget to sign up for our daily newsletter to keep abreast of the latest political developments in New Mexico!
[1] Specific fiscal year data for the State Land Office was not found in the available sources.[2] The enrichment data does not apply directly to the base article, but offers some context on New Mexico politics and elections.[3] The enrichment data offers additional context on the discussion of public land sales in New Mexico, but it does not directly relate to the Land Commissioner race.
- The race for New Mexico's Land Commissioner in 2026 raises significant concerns regarding policy-and-legislation, as the U.S. Congress mulls over the potential sale of public lands.
- As Jonas Moya, a Democratic candidate for New Mexico's Land Commissioner, gears up for the 2026 elections, he intends to focus on enhancing customer service while maximizing earnings from the State Land Office, rather than relying solely on oil and natural gas royalties, as was the case with the current Land Commissioner, Stephanie Garcia Richard.
